Cashiers Marketplace Update 04/03

Dear Cashiers Community, Friends and Neighbors,

Develop Cashiers Responsibly is a grass roots group of volunteers partnering with the community to preserve and protect Cashiers from developments that, as proposed, will negatively impact the environment and the quality of life for local residents. We are strong advocates for community involvement and communication, conserving our natural resources, protecting the heritage and character of Cashiers, and responsible development that our infrastructure can support.

Currently we are working together to fight the Cashiers Marketplace application, in its current design, being presented to the Cashiers Area Planning Council. Our work is very important as it provides the Council with the counter viewpoint to the developer and offers them the expert testimony and analysis on how these types of developments will negatively impact the community; specifically in the areas of storm water runoff, viewshed impact and traffic.

The nature of the quasi-judicial process in Jackson County requires groups like ours to retain legal counsel to establish standing and present the testimony of expert witnesses. Expert witnesses are also a cost we incur as part of this process. The county does not provide any guidance to the council other than confirming the completeness of the application. The Council is only allowed to consider evidence presented during the quasi-judicial hearing when making their decision, therefore, it is critical that a group like Develop Cashiers Responsibly presents this evidence for them to consider, beyond what they hear from the developer and County staff. Our work advocating on behalf of the community ensures a well-rounded viewpoint backed by experts regarding the developmental impacts, and is essential to the process and good decision making.This is not an inexpensive task and thanks to your continued generosity we’ve been able to engage excellent representation and resources in our effort to protect our town from irresponsible development.

The delays in the process caused by application changes by Cashiers Marketplace at the last minute are increasing the time and therefore costs to support this effort. This process started with the first hearings in Nov 2023, a follow up hearing in Feb 2024 and the next hearings planned for April 8 & 9 2024. We do not anticipate them to end there.

100% of your donations go directly to advocating for and educating the community.

Please join us in our efforts to Develop Cashiers Responsibly by contributing at https://www.savecashiers.org/donate Your gift at any level is a great help to the effort. All donations are tax deductible.

With much appreciation,

Develop Cashiers Responsibly

Facebook @ DevelopCashiersResponsibly

Instagram @savecashiers